A veteran who lost both legs and his left arm serving in Afghanistan has begun his challenge to become the first triple amputee to sail solo across the Pacific Ocean.
Craig Wood, from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, was 18 years old and only three months into his first tour when he suffered life-changing injuries from a roadside bomb in Sangin, southern Afghanistan, in 2009.
In a video taken from his custom-built 40-foot aluminium catamaran called Sirius II, the 33-year-old asked people to “wish me luck, wish me fair winds,” as he set sail from Puerto Vallarta in Mexico on Tuesday.
Craig Wood hopes to become the first triple amputee to sail solo and unsupported across the Pacific Ocean (Gareth Davies)
The veteran is likely to face waves as tall as two double decker buses and the risk of hidden atolls (coral reefs) puncturing the boat’s hull, but he said the hardest challenge will be spending months away from his wife, Renata, and their two young children.
“Despite all of the challenges I’m going to face, being away from my wife and children is still going to be the hardest one of all,” Mr Wood said.
He hopes his challenge will change perceptions and show how sailing can be transformative for people living with disabilities.
"It’s also a chance for me to raise awareness and money for the two amazing charities that were there for me during my rehabilitation and recovery.”
Mr Wood is aiming to raise £50,000 for the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association (Blesma), a charity supporting veterans who have lost limbs, and Turn to Starboard, which is a charity using sailing courses to support current and retired armed forces personnel.
He credits both charities for supporting him during his recovery after he spent eight months learning to walk again and had more than 20 operations over four years.
So far, Mr Wood has raised more than £1,000 out of his £50,000 target. For more information about his fundraiser, you can visit :-
https://givestar.io/gs/mexico–japan-solo-sail-world-record
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